A new approach to public relations

What is it like?

The Master of Professional Public Relations is an all-new degree that takes a global approach to public relations.

This new degree has been designed from the ground up to reflect the very latest research and practice. For example the PR analytics course will equip you with cutting-edge strategies and techniques for public relations measurement and evaluation. You will graduate confident in your knowledge of all the key trends necessary for future career success.

Unique study tour

The MPPR Global Public Relations Management course includes a unique international study tour, taking you into the heart of one of the world’s largest PR agencies and their operations and client relationships globally. We are partnering with a large international public relations firm to deliver this experience. You will be required to undertake an international study tour as part of this programme, with costs covered by student fees. The 2017 trip will visit Melbourne, Singapore and London in accordance with course 219.720 Global Public Relations Management and subsequent project.

Comprehensive PR theory and practice

Your learning will comprehensively cover both the most recent public relations theory and provide practice-relevant instruction. A professionally-oriented qualification, the MPPR focuses on giving you a global, contemporary view of the field of PR and high-level skills you can either take back into a current PR-related senior role, or use them to take on a new role in the field.

Specific focus for your study will include areas like digital communications, global communications, PR analytics and reputation and risk management.

You can investigate more fully your specific area of interest in a research project of your choice in your final semester.

Real-world insight

As well as more traditional classroom-based learning, you’ll take part in executive education-style intensive workshops. Online sessions, learning and forum debates with others on the course will also add to your real world insight into your peers’ issues and experiences (and solutions).

If you have experience in the field of public relations and are ready to be inspired about the potential for this field in New Zealand (and for your current employer), this qualification is for you.

World-ranked degree

Massey Business School is ranked in the top 2% of business schools globally.

Massey University’s business and management studies rank in the top 250 (by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings). We are also ranked in the top 150 universities worldwide for business administration programmes by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Multi-disciplinary

The Master of Professional Public Relations utilises Massey’s world-leading expertise across a broad range of specialisations, including international business, ethics and humanities-related topics and statistics, all of which play an integral part in the PR spectrum. You will be learning from experts from within these fields.

A specialist communication university

We have the longest-running communication programme in New Zealand, the largest numbers of students in any university communication programme and the most options for communication-related study. Massey University’s graduates have a long-standing reputation for excellence in both theory and practice.

Why postgraduate study?

Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The Master of Professional Public Relations will push you to produce your best creative, strategic and theoretical ideas. The workload replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles. Our experts are there to guide but if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study.

Not just more of the same

Postgraduate study is not just ‘more of the same’ undergraduate study. It takes you to a new level in knowledge and expertise especially in planning and undertaking research.

Register your interest now

Positions are limited for this master’s programme, so register your interest now, or get in touch if you have any questions

A good fit if you:

Are in a senior public relations role and would like to deepen your understanding of global PR practice, while still working

Would like to do further study that is practical and relevant to current PR industry trends, or

Have extensive experience in another communications discipline and would like to move into public relations

Ranae Niven

Master of Professional Public Relations

Current student

“I chose to study MPPR for a number of reasons but the main one was to get abreast of latest digital PR trends. This is crucial for our practice…”

I've thoroughly enjoyed working alongside others in the industry through the Master of Professional Public Relations. The challenging tasks meant we have formed a close bond and we have learned so much from each other. The topics and self-directed learning have pushed me my out of my comfort zone and have helped me to gain so much knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm for areas I hadn't necessarily been interested in before.

I had heard very good things about Massey's extramural programmes through word of mouth. It was also the only university offering this type of course in New Zealand. The Massey Business School is ranked in the top 2% globally which gave me plenty of confidence. It was also coordinated by the highly skilled and respected Dr Chris Galloway whose articles I had read and learned from.

Over the last two decades traditional PR has shifted from authoritative communication (which is perceived as lacking transparency) to real time and experiential engagement that happens across a myriad of digital platforms. It’s important to keep up with these changes. The MPPR will help me do that.

The leadership programme was insightful and offered practical tools for building on my leadership skills. The research projects that we did, surprisingly, became an area of keen interest. The global research paper gave us other opportunity to travel and learn from some cutting edge PR firms.

The programme format also gave me the ability to be able to study and continue to work, which meant it didn't have too much impact on my family and work commitments.

I believe my new qualification along with the extensive knowledge and experience gained will put me in good stead to take on more leadership roles perhaps in a specialist area or perhaps work in research.

Careers

Stand out from the rest

A masters qualification helps you stand out in the employment market. But postgraduate qualifications are becoming more common - a Public Relations Institute of New Zealand study showed that over 40% of PR practitioners now have a postgraduate degree. Now is the time to undertake this qualification!

Sought after by employers

International trends are for employers to reward postgraduate study well, especially in larger enterprises. The skills you learn are increasingly recognised as setting you apart from other potential employees.

Earn more

Earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed

Young masters graduates earn 86 per cent more than the national median

Good careers are associated with better health, better wellbeing and more satisfying lives

World-leading lecturers and supervisors

Massey’s communication staff are internationally-renowned for their research and teaching and learning methods. You will be working with internationally-recognised communication specialists, for example:

Dr Chris Galloway

Head of Massey’s public relations programme, Chris joins many years of experience as a journalist and senior public relations specialist to his academic interests in issue, risk and crisis communication. He has taught at universities in both Australia and New Zealand. He has a particular interest in the Middle East, especially the way public relations techniques are used to present and position different protagonists.

Industry endorsement

“The Massey University’s Master of Professional Public Relations programme is a good example of the type of higher education programme that equips our future public relations and communication management professionals with the right skills for the industry.”

Elaine Koller, CEO, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand

World-leading lecturers and supervisors

Massey’s communication staff are internationally-renowned for their research and teaching and learning methods. You will be working with internationally-recognised communication specialists, for example:

Prof Shiv Ganesh

Shiv’s research explores the intersection of communication processes with globalisation, digital technologies, and civil society organising. He has examined technological transformations in collective action, global aspects of the digital divide, global neoliberalism and entrepreneurship and global rhetoric about technology. Shiv’s current Marsden-funded project traces how emerging and established forms of social justice organising in Aotearoa New Zealand intersect in volatile technological environments.

Shiv has won numerous awards such as ‘Article of the Year’ award from the US National Communication Association (the world’s largest body of communication researchers) for outstanding contribution to Public Relations theory.